The purpose of this study is to determine if the daily intake of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri prevents antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and related Clostridium difficile infections in children and adolescents.

Further study details as provided by St Marina University Hospital, Varna, Bulgaria:

Primary Outcome Measures:

To assess if the probiotic L. reuteri is effective in preventing AAD in children [ Time Frame: 2 years ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

Incidence of diarrhea during and after treatment with antibiotics in patients ingesting L. reuteri versus placebo during the study period, measured as mean number of episodes per patient. An episode of diarrhea is defined as three or more (≥ 3) soft and unformed or watery bowel movements per day for at least 48 hours.

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Incidence of mild diarrhea and severity if diarrhea in children with probiotic treatment [ Time Frame: 2 years ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

Incidence of mild diarrhoea during and after treatment with antibiotics in patients ingesting L. reuteri versus placebo during the study period is measured as mean number of episodes per patient. An episode of mild diarrhoea is defined as any soft and unformed or watery bowel movements not fulfilling the definition of AAD.

Severity of diarrhoea in patients ingesting L. reuteri versus placebo is measured as the total number of soft and unformed or watery bowel movements during an episode of diarrhoea and the presence of blood and mucus in faeces.

Frequency of stool samples positive for C. difficile toxin A and B at baseline, when presenting with diarrhoea during the study period, and at the follow-up 21 days post-antibiotic treatment is done to detect possible clearance of C. difficile, in patients ingesting L. reuteri versus placebo.

Frequencies of other gastrointestinal symptoms during antibiotic use and 7 and 21 days after cessation of antibiotic use, in the L. reuteri group versus placebo is to be assessed by the validated GSRS score (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Score, Svedlund et al., 1988).

L. reuteri will be ingested by patients on antibiotic therapy, effect of probiotic on AAD will be assessed.

Dietary Supplement: L reuteri in children on antibiotics

Each patient will be assigned to receive either a probiotic supplement containing 1 x 10 8 CFU Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in the form of one chewable tablet once per day (BioGaia AB, Stockholm, Sweden) or placebo, identical in taste and appearance. The probiotic or placebo will be taken 2 hours after lunch each day, during the entire period of antibiotic treatment and for an additional 7 days.

Detailed Description:

Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) occurs in up to 25% of all individuals receiving antibiotics (Bartlett, 2002). In hospitalized patients, AAD is related to significant increases in mortality, length of stay, and cost of medical care (McFarland, 2006). Twenty-nine percent of hospitalized patients may develop diarrhoea after antibiotic use; therefore, identifying strategies to minimize antibiotic-associated diarrhoea could be of significant medical and economic advantage (McFarland, 1998). A promising tool in this area is the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

3 Years to 18 Years (Child, Adult)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

3 - 18 years of age

Receiving antibiotics for not more than 48 hours prior to enrolment and free from diarrhoea

The signed informed consent by one/both parents / legal guardian and by the subject if she/he is 12 years or older

Available throughout the study period

No use of any other probiotic products during the study period (Bulgarian yoghurt without added probiotics can be used)

Subject or parents/guardian should have the mental ability to understand and willingness to fulfil all the details of the protocol

Lack of possibility to store the study product in a temperature below 25°C during the hot season of the year

Contacts and Locations

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01295918